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Note: If using Outlook click the above bar where it says “Click to download photos” The photos are the best part!
 This Issue: To begin this year we are honoured to present Jessey LaFontaine, a young artist who resides on Vancouver Island, and who is inspired daily by the creativity and nature found in island life. In addition to sharing her wonderful art, Jessey has generously included a step by step tutorial on a few of the techniques she has developed over the past ten years. .
2008 was a tough year as we sat back and watched a financial meltdown, political change and people losing their jobs and houses. Uncertainity is on many people's minds and changing priorities have been juggled in order to accomodate all the upheaval.
2009 is a new chapter, an opportunity to celebrate the simple things in life - friendships, family, love and health. Setting new goals, planning exciting adventures, and the chance to follow both new and old dreams will renew the spirit and give new zest to life.
We at Northern Dipper wish you the best in the upcoming year...good health, discovery and prosperity! .
Jessey LaFontaine
Capturing BeautyThrough Art
 Jessey relaxing with samples of her gourd art.
Jessey LaFontaine's dreams and emotions are transformed into every piece of art she creates. Since she was a young child Jessey has looked through the eyes of an artist. Now, as an adult, she is involved in many forms of art including digital art and design, specializing in fantasy / mythical portraitures and paintings. Some of these artworks have been featured in art books, calendars, and in magazines. Most of these digital paintings are custom designed to the likeness of the subject or are commissioned.  "Angelic Christmas" A painting from Jessey's 2004 Christmas Card Edition series. Jessey was first inspired with nature's vessels over ten years ago when her mother brought two painted gourds back from a vacation down in the southern U.S. She states, "Each one was hand painted in acrylics and stylized in a pueblo influenced design. I researched more into gourd art, instruments and use for dinnerware, studying Hopi and pueblo Indian art. My first gourds were bought shortly afterwards and I discovered my own means of cleaning and prepping each gourd with care. I was influenced by the Hopi stylization before developing my own unique style, which is still changing and blossoming to this day."  Jessey uses gold leaf in her work which was inspired by Gustav Klimt, a famous artist who used gold leaf in all his paintings. The gold leaf gives each gourd such a glorious glint and draws attention to the intricately carved animals. Each gourd Jessey creates is one of a kind. Her inspiration is sparked from Vancouver Island and its bounty of beauty. The intricate features and simplicity of frogs, eagles, ravens and salmon depict the island's various inhabitants and the shells and seaweed, discovered while beach- combing, have made their way throughout her gourd work. All the twigs and branches, used as embellishments, are found and dried from the various forests throughout the island, and have added that extra touch of genuine Vancouver Island influenced art.  The composition of Jessey's images are perfect.
Jessey carves all of her designs with the use of a dremel, which is the most time consuming part of the creation. She then uses only leather dyes, making sure to keep the original designs peeking through the tint. She says."I think that the beauty of any gourd is preserving that uniqueness that gives the gourd its name."
 The wide band around the neck of this gourd sets off the hovering hummingbirds.
When discussing embellishments, which give Jessey's work a professional finish and interest, Jessey adds, "Almost all my gourds have small glass bead embellishments or feathers. I tend to pick colours that compliment the leather dyes such as greens to offhand the dark oxblood reds and the rich sienna's in my work. I find it adds and creates room for more creativity to enhance the gourd in its finalization, to have the entire piece come together in completion. Various shells, wood and seaweed have been combed from the vast beaches here and have been woven into some of the gourd art I present."  "Ravens"
Jessey has done various commission pieces for private buyers and currently her works are sold in art galleries centered on Vancouver Island. She has also attended various craft venues when living in Calgary, Alberta, and hopes to participate in upcoming shows such as the Milner Garden Art Festival located in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. She hopes to seek out other opportunities in the upcoming year as well.
 When asked what Jessey's long term goals are she states," My current love for gourd art is ever expanding and evolving. I hope to expand my knowledge and share my experience with others whom appreciate such a wonderful artistic endeavor as gourds have given to me. I plan to attend many more local events and share my joy of gourds with others."
"I also span my horizons to drawing, painting and photography, capturing the beauty in everything around us. I plan on expanding my photography skills into print and hope to dive into that art form more in the upcoming year. So stay tuned everyone!"
What advice does Jessey have for new artists:
"Artistic creativity is bred in all of us and each has ways of expressing into creation. Never lose sight of your goals and don't become discouraged. Surround yourself with other artistic people and their vibe will rub off onto you as yours do to them and those around you. Find your creative flow and the artist in you will make everything work."
 "Loon Call"
Here's the finished project from the tutorial featured in the right-hand column. Jessey, thank you ever so much for this article. We love your art and you too! You are gracious and lovely. Good luck in all your future endeavors. Carolyn and Linda
To view Jessey LaFontaine's website click here:
To view Jessey's paintings click here:
To learn more about Gustav Klimt and his art click here:
To learn more about the Milner Garden Art Festival click here:
Wedding Bells Ring
For Jamie & Mark  Jamie and Mark on their wedding day. They are a fine looking couple and Jamie is a beautiful bride.
 Jamie looking over the completed gourds. The large gourd with the slit in it is where people deposited their gift envelopes.
 The table settings were absolutely gorgeous. There were 39 gourds placed on golden charger plates surrounded with fall leaves. There were lights placed in the center of the gourds which gave the room an ambience that would soon not be forgotten.
 It was Lori Majer (Jamie's mom) along with Mary Boulay and Jenn Watts that organized the wedding gourds. Friend Carol is the person who carved and stained the gourds. They were perfect for an October 12th fall wedding.
 Thank you Lori for sending in this story. It looks like it was the perfect wedding and we wish Jamie and Mark every happiness that married life can bring.
Hi there,
I have been selling gourds at shows but find that people want them to be functional as well as decorative. I have not been able to find anything up until now that will safely seal them. I think that my sales would increase if I would solve this problem. Could you give me any hints or advice on using the Mas Epoxy and will it do the trick?
Thank you,
Kathi Harrison - Halifax, Nova Scotia
 Dear Kathi,
After spending a lot of time doing research we finally came across this excellent product called Mas Epoxy. Not only is it water repellent but it is also water proof. If you want to make vases or bowls out of gourds, this is the product for you.
Mas Epoxy is a two part solution, comes with plastic gloves, mixing sticks and measuring cups. Simply mix according to instructions and brush on using a disposable paint brush. (Brushes can't be cleaned or reused.) Don't mix a large quantity as a little goes a long way. After the first coat dries (overnight), lightly sand the interior and add a second coat. Although this product is almost odourless, you should still respect it and use in a well-ventilated area. Wear a mask and don't forget the gloves! Here is the link for Mas Epoxy for your convenience.
http://www.northerndipper.com/embellishments.php Carolyn
Reader's Corner
 Charlene from Southern California won't have winter winds, ice and snow on her gourd crop like we do up here in the northern climate. Believe it or not the severe winter conditions do not affect the drying process. Growers may want to check their crops and turn in a month or two. Hello Northern Dipper, Thank you for the online newsletter. It allows me to see what gourd artists from around the world are creating. I live in Southern California but am a long way from most gourd activities so I rely on the Internet for information. I do travel to Welburn's Gourd Farm which is 2 1/2 hours away once a year.
Regards,
Charlene Sith
Hi Charlene,
We are always so happy to hear from our readers! Glad to see that you are getting so much enjoyment from our newsletter. It is a great way to keep in touch with gourd artists and enthusiasts from all over. We would love to see some of your gourd work as well.
Warm regards, Carolyn
NEXT ISSUE: We are very excited about our next issue of Gourd Fever. To begin with we are featuring two women who have been living and sharing the gourd life in Northeast Georgia since 1976. Janice Lymburner and Priscilla Wilson began their journey by experimenting with gourds and soon were selling their wares at craft fairs. In 1983 they built their first permanent shop and in 1991 moved to their present location where they now make Gourd Impressions pottery as well as gourd art. The Gourd Place is the oldest retail gourd crafting business in the United States as far as they know and we can't wait to learn more about these two artists and entrepreneurs.
We love gourd sculpture as does Donna Bagdan and Brian Heidecker. Next month we have some incredible photos of some of the projects these two have been working on. When we saw them all we could say is "Wow" and we are certain that once you see them, you will be giving the same response. Our readership consists of so many talented people and David Dix is one of them. He has sent in photos of some of the gourds he has hanging around his place as well as a poem celebrating the growing habits of this vigorous vine. It is very amusing and true and we would like to share this with you next month.  Until we meet again take care everyone. And once again, all the best in the upcoming year 2009. Carolyn Cooper and Linda Bond PS If you have any stories, photos or comments that you would like to contribute to this newsletter please send to info@northerndipper.com |
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